Paper sheet handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A paper sheet handling apparatus, includes: an identifying unit  20  which forwards and identifies a paper sheet A that is inserted from an opening portion  22  formed in its front plane; a collecting unit  30  which stores the identified paper sheet A; a paying-out unit  40  which stores a paying-out paper sheet B to be paid out to the opening portion  22  in a certain case; a forwarding unit  50  which forwards the paper sheet A and the paying-out paper sheet B, between each of the identifying unit  20 , the collecting unit  30  and the paying-out unit  40 ; an outer frame 10 which holds each unit of the identifying unit  20  disposed on its front side, the forwarding unit  50  disposed on the inner side from it, the collecting unit  30  disposed below these identifying unit  20  and forwarding unit  50  and on the front side, and the paying-out unit  40  disposed on the inner side from the collecting unit  30 , in which to the outer frame  10 , at least the collecting unit  30  and the paying-out unit  40  are detachably attached from its front side.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a paper sheet handling apparatus, whichis housed inside of, for example, a vending machine, a money changer,recreational equipment for amusements, or the like, has the function ofreceiving a paper sheet, such as a bank note, from its inlet, and as thecase may be, the function of paying out a paper sheet of the same typeor another type to the inlet.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As a conventional paper sheet handling apparatus as mentionedabove, there is known a bank-note handling apparatus shown in FIG. 29(Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-153230). This bank-note handlingapparatus includes a bank-note receipt portion 200 in which a bank note201 is cast from a bank-note inlet 208 located almost in its middle inthe directions of its height. Then, it is judged at an identifyingportion 204 whether the bank note 201 is genuine or not and what type itis. Next, the large-domination bank note 201 which has been judgedgenuine is sent to a large-domination bank-note storage portion 203through a forwarding line 211, and it is stored therein. On the otherhand, the small-domination bank note 201 is sent through a forwardingline 212 to a small-domination bank-note storage portion 206 which isplaced below the bank-note inlet 208, and it is stored therein. The banknote 201 which has not been judged genuine is returned to the side ofthe bank-note inlet 208 by the reversal of a driving unit. In thebank-note receipt portion 200, a bank-note paying-out portion 205 isprovided between the bank-note inlet 208 and the small-dominationbank-note storage portion 206 located below it. It sends and pays outthe bank note which has been forwarded from the small-dominationbank-note storage portion 206, to a bank-note outlet 209, if apaying-out request is made.

[0003] Accordingly, the conventional bank-note handling apparatus isconfigured such that the bank-note outlet 209 is provided below andseparately from the bank-note inlet 208. Thus, the bank-note receiptportion 200 and the bank-note paying-out portion 205 are piled in theup-and-down directions, thereby making it tall.

[0004] If the conventional bank-note handling apparatus as mentionedabove is housed in equipment with a sufficiently large space inside ofit, for example, an ATM (or automatic teller machine) or the like, thatdoes not constitute any obstacles. However, there has been adisadvantage in that if it is housed in equipment which has a smallinside-space and thus is subject to limitations on the heightmeasurement of its housing space, for example, a vending machine, amoney changer, recreational equipment for amusements, or the like, thenthe housing may be difficult to conduct.

[0005] Aiming at resolving such a disadvantage of the prior art, it isan object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet handlingapparatus which is capable of receiving and paying out a paper sheet,and which can be small-sized so that the housing is conducted eventhough there are limitations on the height measurement of housing space.

[0006] In the conventional bank-note handling apparatus as mentionedabove, the forwarding line 211, the forwarding line 212, and the like,are configured to supply a bank note to the large-domination bank-notestorage portion 203 and the small-domination bank-note storage portion206, in the horizontal direction from the rear-plane side. This makesits measurements longer even in the front-and-rear directions, and thus,it becomes very large-sized. Hence, equipment which has a smallinside-space and thus is subject to limitations on the depth measurementof its housing space, for example, a vending machine, a money changer,recreational equipment for amusements, or the like, then not onlylimitations on the height measurement but also limitations on the depthmeasurement may make the housing difficult to conduct.

[0007] This will be described below, as an example, using recreationalequipment 220 for amusements shown in FIG. 30.

[0008] In the amusement recreational equipment 220, a CRT 221 whichmakes a display is placed in the height position that corresponds to theeyes of a player from a human-engineering viewpoint. This frequentlyimposes limitations on its height measurement. Besides, a coin inletportion 222 which is used with high frequency is placed on theright-hand side below the CRT 221 to make it easy to handle. On itsright side is placed a bank-note inlet 223. In a farther lower part,there is placed a coin receipt portion 224. In addition, a coinidentifying unit (not shown) is placed inside of a case 225 providedwith the coin inlet portion 222, and a bank-note handling apparatus 226is placed inside of the bank-note inlet 223, respectively. Thereby, thebank-note handling apparatus 226 is subject to limitations not only onits width measurement in the right-and-left directions, but also on itsfront-and-rear measurement according to the depth measurement of the CRT221. This may make the bank-note handling apparatus 226 more difficultto mount.

[0009] Therefore, it is another object of the present invention toprovide a paper sheet handling apparatus which can be small-sized sothat the housing is conducted, even though there are limitations on thedepth measurement of housing space.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, characterized by including: an identifying unit whichforwards and identifies a paper sheet inserted from an opening portionformed in the front plane thereof; a collecting unit which stores theidentified paper sheet; a paying-out unit which stores a paying-outpaper sheet to be paid out to the opening portion in a certain case; aforwarding unit which forwards the identified paper sheet and thepaying-out paper sheet, between each of the identifying unit, thecollecting unit and the paying-out unit; and an outer frame which holdseach unit of the identifying unit disposed on the front side thereof,the forwarding unit disposed on the inner side therefrom, the collectingunit disposed below these identifying unit and forwarding unit and onthe front side, and the paying-out unit disposed at least on the innerside from the collecting unit, in that to the outer frame, at least thecollecting unit and the paying-out unit are attached from the front sidethereof so as to be attachable and detachable.

[0011] With this paper sheet handling apparatus, the identifying unitand the forwarding unit are disposed in the front-and-rear directions.Below these, the collecting unit is disposed, and the paying-out unit isdisposed at least on the inner side from the collecting unit. Thisallows its height measurement (or up-and-down measurement) to becomeshorter. Besides, the paying-out paper sheet that has been paid out fromthe paying-out unit is paid out from the opening portion which is usedfor inserting a paper sheet in the identifying unit. This also makes theup-and-down measurement shorter. In addition, the identifying unit andthe forwarding unit are disposed in the front-and-rear directions, andthe identifying unit forwards and identifies a paper sheet. This savesthe identifying unit from having to include more than an identifyingmechanism. Thus, no obstacle can be constituted, even if the front endof a paper sheet is located inside of the forwarding unit when anidentification is executed. This allows its front-and-rear measurementto become shorter, even though the housing space is limited in thefront-and-rear directions, to that limited measurement. Therefore, evenif there are some limitations on the housing space in the front-and-reardirections, the front-and-rear measurements of the identifying unit andthe forwarding unit can be shortened to the limited measurement.

[0012] Moreover, to the outer frame, the collecting unit and thepaying-out unit are attached from its front side so as to be attachableand detachable. Thereby, regardless of the disposition of other unitsaround the place where the paper sheet handling apparatus is housed, theidentified paper sheet that has been stored in the collecting unit canbe collected. In addition, the paying-out paper sheet can be supplied tothe paying-out unit, thereby making it possible to receive and pay out apaper sheet.

[0013] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out paper sheet is one, or two or more, of a banknote, a cut-sheet which undergoes printing when paid out, a continuousform which undergoes printing when paid out, and a card which undergoesprinting or magnetic recording when paid out.

[0014] With this configuration, the paying-out paper sheet can be paidout according to the type of housing equipment which houses the papersheet handling apparatus. In addition, the usage of the paying-out papersheet which has been paid out can be made various types.

[0015] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the directions in which a paper sheet is forwarded betweenthe collecting unit and the forwarding unit and between the paying-outunit and the forwarding unit are set to the up-and-down directions.

[0016] With this configuration, the direction in which a paper sheet isforwarded between the collecting unit and the forwarding unit is set tothe up-and-down directions. Thereby, the front-and-rear measurement ofthe collecting unit can be made as short as possible. This presentsample space on the inner side from the collecting unit. In that amplespace, the paying-out unit can be placed whose front-and-rearmeasurement is made shorter by setting the paper sheet forwardingdirection between it and the forwarding unit to the up-and-downdirections. Therefore, even though the housing space is limited in thefront-and-rear directions, the front-and-rear measurements of thecollecting unit and the paying-out unit can be made shorter to theirlimited measurements.

[0017] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the collecting unit or the paying-out unit, or these two,include a sorting and storage portion which sorts and stores two typesof paper sheets according to their types.

[0018] With this configuration, even if the necessity occurs of storingtwo types of paper sheets, there is no need for new storage space forthe collecting unit or the paying-out unit, or these two. This makes itpossible to omit the space for essential storage space, and thus, tostore each paper sheet, with the whole paper sheet handling apparatuskeeping its measurements at a small space.

[0019] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the outer frame is provided with a second paying-out unit atthe upper part thereof, this second paying-out unit stores thepaying-out paper sheet so that it is inserted into and extracted fromthe front side of the outer frame.

[0020] With this configuration, if the paying-out paper sheet (such as acut-sheet on which printing is conducted at the time of paying-out) istreated to which an administrator has access more frequently than to thepaper sheet stored in the collecting unit, the second paying-out unit isconfigured so that the paying-out paper sheet can be inserted into andextracted from the front side of the outer frame. Therefore, theadministrator can easily supply or take out the paying-out paper sheetfrom the second paying-out unit, without removing the collecting unitfrom the outer frame. In other words, this configuration allows thesupply or extraction of the paying-out paper sheet which has high accessfrequency to be simply operated, with the paper sheet handling apparatusmaintaining its front-and-rear measurement as much as possible.

[0021] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the second paying-out unit is provided with an identifyingdevice which identifies the type or the like of the paying-out papersheet which is forwarded from the second paying-out unit to the openingportion; this identifying device is configured to identify a printinglevel or a magnetic-recording level of the paying-out paper sheet; andif each level of the paying-out paper sheet which is identified by thisidentifying device is identified as lower than a predetermined level,the paying-out paper sheet is forwarded to the collecting unit by theforwarding unit.

[0022] With this configuration, if a printing level or amagnetic-recording level of the paying-out paper sheet to be paid outfrom the second paying-out unit to the opening portion is a level atwhich identification could not be conducted later (e.g., in the case ofa light print, a magnetic fault or the like), the paying-out paper sheetis forwarded to the collecting unit by the forwarding unit. In thatcase, another paying-out paper sheet is issued again, thereby preventingthe one that could not be identified from being issued.

[0023] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out unit includes a plurality of paying-outportions which store, as the paying-out paper sheet, a plurality oftypes of paper sheets according to their types; and each of theseplurality of paying-out portions is individually detachably attachedfrom the front side of the outer frame.

[0024] With this configuration, a plurality of types of paying-out papersheets can be paid out. This allows various types of housing equipmentto be used, thus increasing the types of housing equipment applicable tothe paper sheet handling apparatus. With respect to each paying-outportion, the paying-out paper sheets can be supplied to the paying-outportion at their inmost part, if they are detached one after anotherfrom the forefront.

[0025] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the plurality of paying-out portions include at least twopaying-out portions which are disposed below the identifying unit andthe forwarding unit; those paying-out portions are inside of the outerframe, and are united and housed in an inside frame which is detachablyattached below the identifying unit and the forwarding unit; and theinside frame is provided with an opening portion or an open-and-closeportion through which the paying-out paper sheet is fed to a paying-outportion located in the inner part.

[0026] With this configuration, the plurality of paying-out portions areunited and housed in the inside frame. If the inside frame is detachedforward from the outer frame, the paying-out paper sheets can besupplied to a paying-out portion located at their inner part, throughthe opening portion or the open-and-close portion. Thus, there is noneed to remove paying-out portions one by one which are placed ahead ofthe paying-out portion located in the inner part, thereby making itconvenient.

[0027] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is configured to identify a damage levelof a paper sheet which is inserted from the opening portion, and aprinting level or a magnetic-recording level of the paying-out papersheet to be paid out to the opening portion; and if each level of thepaper sheet which is identified by this identifying unit is identifiedas lower than a predetermined level, the paper sheet is forwarded to thecollecting unit by the forwarding unit.

[0028] With this configuration, if the damage level of a paper sheetwhich has been inserted from the opening portion is a level at which itcan be identified as genuine or counterfeit by the identifying unit, buta level at which its forwarding by the forwarding unit may have aharmful influence (which corresponds to the damage level of, forexample, a bent or ripped paper sheet), then the paper sheet isforwarded to the collecting unit by the forwarding unit. This preventsthe paper sheet from being forwarded to the paying-out unit at all,thereby avoiding the trouble at the time of forwarding which may becaused when it is paid out later. In the same way, if the printing levelor magnetic-storage level of the paying-out paper sheet to be paid outto the opening portion is a level at which it could not be identifiedlater, then the paying-out paper sheet is forwarded to the collectingunit by the forwarding unit. In that case, another paying-out papersheet is issued again, thereby preventing the one, as described above,that could not be identified from being issued.

[0029] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is configured to identify the insertiondirection of a paper sheet which is inserted from the opening portion;and the paper sheet which is identified as a specific insertiondirection by this identifying unit is forwarded to the paying-out unitby the forwarding unit.

[0030] With this configuration, the insertion direction (or thefront-and-rear direction and the obverse-and-reverse direction) of apaper sheet which has been inserted from the opening portion by theidentifying is identified. As a result, the paper sheet which has beenidentified as a specific insertion direction is forwarded to thepaying-out unit. This unifies the storage direction of the paper sheetto be stored in the paying-out unit. Therefore, the direction in which apaper sheet is paid out to a user can be unified for each paying-outoperation.

[0031] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the forwarding unit is configured to forward the paying-outpaper sheet which is stored in the paying-out unit to the collectingunit, according to an external request.

[0032] With this configuration, the forwarding unit forwards thepaying-out paper sheet which has been stored in the paying-out unit tothe collecting unit, according to an external request. Thus, if there isthe need to collect the paper sheets which have been stored in both thepaying-out unit and the collecting unit, then an administrator onceforwards the paper sheet in the paying-out unit to the collecting unit.Thereafter, the administrator can collect the paper sheets in a lumpfrom the collecting unit. Herein, “the external request” is realized bya predetermined starting operation. As this kind of starting operation,operation can be used, such as the operation of a predetermined switchprovided in the paper sheet handling apparatus, and the operation ofallowing the identifying unit to read a magnetic card which stores acommand for starting in advance, or a coupon ticket on which a commandfor starting is printed as bar-code information beforehand.

[0033] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is detachably attached to the forwardingunit, and is replaced and used according to the paper sheet to beidentified.

[0034] With this configuration, the identifying unit is replaced andused, thereby making it possible to identify the paper sheet to beidentified, even though it is varied.

[0035] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the opening portion of the identifying unit is used both forinserting and paying out a paper sheet.

[0036] With this configuration, there is no need to separately providean opening portion for paying-out, or a forwarding line which leads toit. This shortens its height measurement and decreases the number ofparts.

[0037] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out paper sheet includes a reference reading papersheet which is used for adjusting identification precision of theidentifying unit; and the precision of the identifying unit is adjustedso that an actual measurement value by the identifying unit whichidentifies this reference reading paper sheet becomes a value that ispreset for the reference reading paper sheet.

[0038] With this configuration, the precision of the identifying unitcan be adjusted by allowing it to identify the reference reading papersheet. Hence, if this reference reading paper sheet is stored in thepaying-out unit, the precision of the identifying unit can be easilyadjusted.

[0039] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out paper sheet includes a cleaning paper sheetwhich is used for cleaning the identifying unit; and the identifyingunit is cleaned when identifying the cleaning paper sheet.

[0040] With this configuration, cleaning of the identifying unit can beconducted by allowing it to identify the cleaning paper sheet. Hence, ifthis cleaning paper sheet is stored in the paying-out unit, cleaning ofthe identifying unit can be easily conducted.

[0041] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is configured to identify whether thepaying-out paper sheet in the paying-out unit which is supplied by anadministrator, is a predetermined one, or not.

[0042] With this configuration, the identifying unit is configured toidentify whether the paying-out paper sheet in the paying-out unit whichhas been supplied by an administrator, is a predetermined one, or not.Thus, the administrator can certainly supply the paying-out paper sheetinto the paying-out unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior appearance of a papersheet handling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0044]FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the paper sheet handlingapparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0045]FIG. 3 is a right-side sectional view of the paper sheet handlingapparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0046]FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a hooking device for hooking acollecting unit provided in the paper sheet handling apparatus accordingto the first embodiment.

[0047]FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the engagement between alocking device and the collecting unit which are provided in the papersheet handling apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0048]FIG. 6 is a main routine, showing acceptance processing of thepaper sheet handling apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0049]FIG. 7 is a flow chart, showing return processing in theacceptance processing of FIG. 6.

[0050]FIG. 8 is a flow chart, showing collection and storage processingin the acceptance processing of FIG. 6.

[0051]FIG. 9 is a flow chart, showing paying-out storage processing inthe acceptance processing of FIG. 6.

[0052]FIG. 10 is a main routine, showing paying-out processing of thepaper sheet handling apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0053]FIG. 11 is a flow chart, showing paying-out termination processingin the paying-out processing of FIG. 10.

[0054]FIG. 12 is a flow chart, showing paying-out forwarding processingin the paying-out processing of FIG. 10.

[0055]FIG. 13 is a right-side sectional view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0056]FIG. 14 is a right-side sectional view of the rear part of anotherpaper sheet handling apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0057]FIG. 15 is a perspective exploded view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0058]FIG. 16 is a right-side sectional view of the rear-end part of thepaper sheet handling apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[0059]FIG. 17 is a right-side sectional view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0060]FIG. 18 is a plan, partially sectional view of a collecting unitin FIG. 17. FIG. 18A shows a state in which an acceptance bar hasaccepted a paper sheet, FIG. 18B shows a state in which the acceptancebar is being driven, and FIG. 18C shows a state in which the paper sheethas been sorted out by the acceptance bar.

[0061]FIG. 19 is a right-side sectional view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus according to another fourth embodiment.

[0062]FIG. 20 is a right-side sectional view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0063]FIG. 21 is a flow chart, showing paying-out processing of thepaper sheet handling apparatus in FIG. 20.

[0064]FIG. 22 is a flow chart, showing a part of another embodiment ofthe paying-out processing shown in FIG. 10.

[0065]FIG. 23 is a flow chart, showing a part of another embodiment ofthe acceptance processing shown in FIG. 6.

[0066]FIG. 24 is a flow chart, showing a part of still anotherembodiment of the acceptance processing shown in FIG. 6.

[0067]FIG. 25 is a flow chart, showing a part of another embodiment ofthe paying-out processing shown in FIG. 10.

[0068]FIG. 26 is a main routine, showing processing by a controller inan administrator mode.

[0069]FIG. 27 is a flow chart, showing paper sheet check processing inFIG. 26.

[0070]FIG. 28 is a flow chart, showing paper sheet shift processing inFIG. 26.

[0071]FIG. 29 is a right-side sectional view of a conventional papersheet handling apparatus.

[0072]FIG. 30 is a perspective view of recreational equipment foramusements which houses a paper sheet handling apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0073] Hereinafter, a paper sheet handling apparatus embodying thepresent invention will be specifically described.

[0074] (First Embodiment)

[0075]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior appearance of a papersheet handling apparatus according to this embodiment FIG. 2 is aperspective exploded view of that paper sheet handling apparatus. FIG. 3is a right-side sectional view of the paper sheet handling apparatus.

[0076] This paper sheet handling apparatus 1 includes an outer frame 10,an identifying unit 20, a collecting unit 30, a paying-out unit 40, anda forwarding unit 50. It has a basic configuration in which a papersheet A identified by the identifying unit 20 is sent to the collectingunit 30 through a first paper sheet forwarding line 51 of the forwardingunit 50, and a paper sheet B identified by the identifying unit 20 issent to the paying-out unit 40 through a second paper sheet forwardingline 52 of the forwarding unit 50. Herein, the paper sheets A and Bdenote every paper sheet, including a bank note, a card, a couponticket, or the like. Reference characters A, B mean that they are adifferent type of paper sheet from each other when identified by theidentifying unit 20. If a paper sheet is mentioned which needs to bedistinguished from these paper sheets A, B, then a description will begiven using a reference character, as described later. However, withrespect to how the paper sheets A, B are forwarded, such forwarding asmentioned later is also conducted, in addition to the above describedbasic configuration.

[0077] The outer frame 10 includes: two side plates 11, 12 which areplaced a certain distance apart from each other; a bottom plate 13 whichis placed between both side plates 11 and 12 and at its bottom; a shelfplate 14 which is placed above the bottom plate 13, in a lower positionthan the upper end and between both side plates 11 and 12; and a rearplate 15 which is placed between the shelf plate 14 and the bottom plate13 and between both side plates 11 and 12. To the right-hand side plate11, a support member 16 is attached on its inside, and to the left-handside plate 11, a support member 17 is attached on its inside. Theright-hand support member 16 is provided with a lever 18.

[0078] The above described lever 18, as shown in FIG. 4A, is supportedwith the right-hand support member 16, so as to turn around a horizontalshaft 18 a provided in its inner part. It can swing from the horizontalposition, as shown in FIG. 4B, to a position in which its tip inclinesdownward. Even if an operation is conducted so that it comes to theinclined position, the lever 18 is configured to return to thehorizontal position by the tensile force of a helical extension spring(not shown). Near the horizontal shaft 18 a, a hook portion 18 b isformed which protrudes upward from the lower side. When the lever 18 isin the horizontal position, the hook portion 18 b protrudes upward froman inclined portion 16 a (refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4) formed in thesupport member 16. On the other hand, when the lever 18 is in theinclined position, it is at the same height as, or lower than, theinclined portion 16 a.

[0079] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lever 18 is pushed downagainst the tensile force of the helical extension spring, and in thisstate, a hook pin 31 b provided in the side plane of the collecting unit30 is brought onto the inner side from the hook portion 18 b.Thereafter, when the lever 18 is released, as shown in FIG. 4A, the tipof the hook portion 18 b protrudes upward from the inclined portion 16a, and the hook pin 31 b is hooked. Thus, the collecting unit 30 isattached between the shelf plate 14 and the bottom plate 13 of the outerframe 10, with keeping a space from the rear plate 15. If its reverseoperation is conducted, the collecting unit 30 can be collected from theouter frame 10. When the collecting unit 30 is kept attached to theouter frame 10, an inlet 31 a (refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) of a papersheet forwarding line 31, which is placed in the up-and-down directionsinside of the collecting unit 30, corresponds to an opening 14 a formedin the shelf plate 14.

[0080] The above described space is large enough to house the paying-outunit 40. Inside of the space, the paying-out unit 40 is inserted andattached from the front side of the outer frame 10. In this attachmentstate, an inlet 41 a (refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) of a paper sheetforwarding line 41, which is placed in the up-and-down directions insideof the paying-out unit 40, corresponds to an opening 14 b formed in theshelf plate 14.

[0081] In the bottom plate 13, a locking device 63 is provided whichprevents the paying-out unit 40 from being detached. This locking device63 includes: a rod 64 which passes through a penetrating hole 13 bformed in a hanging strip 13 a that is bent downward at the front planepart of the bottom plate 13; a key portion 65 which is fixed ahead ofthe penetrating hole 13 b of the rod 64; and a rectangular lock strip 66which is fixed on the rear end of the rod 64. This lock strip 66 turnsthe key portion 65, using a key (not shown), in a predetermineddirection. As shown in FIG. 5, therefore, it goes into a long hole 40 aformed at the bottom of the paying-out unit 40, thereby preventing thepaying-out unit 40 from being detached. If it is turned in the oppositedirection, it comes out of the long hole 40 a, thus allowing thepaying-out unit 40 to be detached.

[0082] To the shelf plate 14 of the outer frame 10, the forwarding unit50 is attached thereon. The identifying unit 20 is attached to a cutoffportion 53 formed in the front upper part of this forwarding unit 50.

[0083] The forwarding unit 50 is attached to the outer frame 10 bysliding the forwarding unit 50 from front to back on the shelf plate 14.The forwarding unit 50 is prevented from coming off upward, using bentportions 11 a, 12 a which are formed by bending inside the upper edgesof both side plates 11, 12. On the other hand, using an inclined portion11 b provided in the rear-end part of the right-hand side plate 11, itis prevented from coming off backward. At this time, a connector 60provided on the rear-plane side of the forwarding unit 50 is connectedto a connector 19 provided in the left-hand side plate 12. In addition,an outlet 51 b (refer to FIG. 3), which is formed inside of theforwarding unit 50 and is placed downward in the first paper sheetforwarding line 51 that supplies the paper sheet A to the collectingunit 30, corresponds to the opening 14 a of the shelf plate 14. Thus,the first paper sheet forwarding line 51 leads to the paper sheetforwarding line 31 of the collecting unit 30. Moreover, an outlet 52 b(refer to FIG. 3), which is formed inside of the forwarding unit 50 andis placed downward in the second paper sheet forwarding line 52 thatbranches off from a midway part of the first paper sheet forwarding line51 that supplies the paper sheet B to the paying-out unit 40,corresponds to the opening 14 b of the shelf plate 14. Thus, the secondpaper sheet forwarding line 52 leads to the paper sheet forwarding line41 of the paying-out unit 40. Oppositely, if the forwarding unit 50 isremoved from the outer frame 10, the connectors 60 and 19 becomeunconnected.

[0084] The identifying unit 20 is attached to the outer frame 10 bysliding the identifying unit 20 from front to back on the cutoff portion53 of the forwarding unit 50. The identifying unit 20 is prevented fromcoming off upward, using the above described bent portions 11 a, 12 a.At this time, a connector 27 (refer to FIG. 3) provided on therear-plane side of the identifying unit 20 is connected to a connector54 provided in the cutoff portion 53. In addition, an outlet 51 b (referto FIG. 3), which is formed inside of the identifying unit 20 and isprovided in a paper sheet forwarding line 21 that supplies the papersheet A to the forwarding unit 50, corresponds to an inlet 51 a of thefirst paper sheet forwarding line 51 of the forwarding unit 50. Thus,the paper sheet forwarding line 21 leads to the paper sheet forwardingline 51 of the forwarding unit 50. Oppositely, if the identifying unit20 is removed from the outer frame 10, the connectors 54 and 27 becomesunconnected.

[0085] As described above, in the outer frame 10, as shown in FIG. 3,the identifying unit 20 is housed on its upper-front side; theforwarding unit 50, in the upper part; the collecting unit 30, on thelower-front side; and the paying-out unit 40, on the lower-rear side. Inaddition, the paper sheet forwarding line 21 of the identifying unit 20,the first paper sheet forwarding line 51 of the forwarding unit 50, andthe paper sheet forwarding line 31 of the collecting unit 30, areconnected. And the paper sheet forwarding line 21, the second papersheet forwarding line 52 of the forwarding unit 50, and the paper sheetforwarding line 41 of the paying-out unit 40, are connected.

[0086] Next, a function of the paper sheet handling apparatus 1configured in this way will be described.

[0087] This paper sheet handling apparatus 1 is configured so that thepaper sheet A which has been brought in from an opening portion 22 forinsertion and paying-out that is formed in its front plane is identifiedby the identifying unit 20. If the identified paper sheet A is a regularpaper sheet and is not the paper sheet B, it is stored in the collectingunit 30 for its collection; if it is the regular paper sheet B, in thepaying-out unit 40 for the paying-out. If the identified paper sheet Ais a counterfeit paper sheet, it is returned to the opening portion 22and the paying-out paper sheet B is paid out to the opening portion 22from the paying-out unit 40 when paid out; or if the paying-out papersheet B is not a predetermined amount, it is collected for itscollection by the collecting unit 30. Herein, the opening portion 22 isused both for inserting and paying out a paper sheet.

[0088] Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the paper sheethandling apparatus 1 will be specifically described.

[0089] The identifying unit 20 is well shorter than the shortest one ofa plurality of paper sheets which belongs to the paper sheet A. Forexample, it has about half the length of the shortest paper sheet. Whenidentified, the front end of the paper sheet A is located inside of theforwarding unit 50. The identifying unit 20 is provided with: an inletsensor 23 which detects the paper sheet A being cast into the openingportion 22 that is an inlet, along the paper sheet forwarding line 21;an inlet shutter 24 which prevents the paper sheet A from beingcontinuously inserted and also prevents the paying-out paper sheet Bfrom being heedlessly paid out; a passage sensor 25; and anidentification sensor portion 26. The passage sensor 25 detects thepaper sheet A reaching the identification sensor portion 26. Theidentification sensor portion 26 is provided with a passage sensor 26 aand an identification sensor 26 b. The passage sensor 26 a detects thefront end of the paper sheet A to operate the identification sensor 26b. Then, it detects the paper sheet A passing to complete the detectionof the identification sensor 26 b. The identification sensor 26 bidentifies the money type and genuineness of the inserted paper sheet A.In addition, this identification sensor 26 b identifies the paying-outpaper sheet B which is paid out to the opening portion 22 from thepaying-out unit 40. With respect to how the identification sensor 26 bidentifies a paper sheet, various methods can be used.

[0090] The forwarding unit 50 is provided with: a feed-in sensor 55which detects the paper sheet A being supplied from the side of theinlet 51 a, along the first paper sheet forwarding line 51; anextraction prevention lever 56 for preventing misconduct which preventsthe paper sheet A from being pulled out toward the side of the openingportion 22; a sorting shutter 57 which switches and forwards the papersheet A to one of the sides of the paper sheet forwarding lines 51 and52; and a feed-out sensor 58 which detects the paper sheet A beingcarried out. The extraction prevention lever 56 is driven by a solenoid56 a. When the paper sheet A is forwarded from front to inside, itsfront end 56 b moves up, and it moves down when it passes. The sortingshutter 57 is driven by a solenoid (not shown). When the paper sheet Ais forwarded to the collecting unit 30, the second paper sheetforwarding line 52 is shut. On the other hand, the paper sheet B isforwarded to the paying-out unit 40, the first paper sheet forwardingline 51 is shut.

[0091] Along the paper sheet forwarding line 21, a pair of rollers 29 a,a roller 29 band a pair of rollers 29 c are provided. Along the papersheet forwarding line 51, a pair of rollers 59 a, 59 b, 59 c and 59 dare provided. In addition, the paper sheet forwarding line 31 isprovided with a pair of rollers 32. Along the second paper sheetforwarding line 52, there are provided a double-ticket detection sensor61 which detects two paper sheets being sent together, and a pair ofrollers 62. Moreover, a pair of rollers 42, a separation roller 43 and aforwarding belt 44 are provided along the paper sheet forwarding line41.

[0092] The above described pair of rollers 29 a, 29 c, 59 a, 59 b, 59 c,59 d, 32 and 62, and roller 29 b are driven by a forwarding motor M2provided in the forwarding unit 50 and a gear mechanism (not shown). Onthe other hand, the above described pair of rollers 42, the separationroller 43 and forwarding belt 44 are driven by a forwarding motor M4provided in the forwarding unit 50 and a gear mechanism (not shown). Apaper sheet is forwarded by revolving each forwarding motor M2, M4 inthe normal or reverse direction. Specifically, if the paper sheet Aidentified by the identification sensor portion 26 is a regular papersheet and is not the paper sheet B, the forwarding motor M2 is driven toforward the paper sheet A to the collecting unit 30 for its collection.On the other hand, if the paper sheet A is identical with the paying-outpaper sheet B, the forwarding motors M2 and M4 are driven to forward thepaper sheet A to the paying-out unit 40 for its paying-out. If the papersheet A is a counterfeit paper sheet from the result of theidentification, the forwarding motor M2 is reversed to return the papersheet A to the opening portion 22. On the other hand, if the paying-outpaper sheet B is paid out, the forwarding motor M4 is reversed toforward the paying-out paper sheet B from the paying-out unit 40 to theforwarding unit 50. In addition, the forwarding motor M2 is reversed topay out the paying-out paper sheet B to the opening portion 22. Or ifthe paying-out paper sheet B is not a predetermined paper sheet from theresult of the identification by the identification sensor 26 b, thepaying-out paper sheet B is forwarded for its collection to thecollecting unit 30. In short, a forwarding device (or each such rolleras described above) which corresponds to the paying-out unit 40 isdriven by the forwarding motor M4, while the other forwarding device isdriven by the forwarding motor M2.

[0093] In the collecting unit 30, a publicly-known push-in mechanism 33is provided, and in the paying-out unit 40, a publicly-known push-inmechanism (not shown) is also provided. The push-in mechanism 33 isdriven by a stack motor M1 and a gear mechanism (not shown) which areprovided in the forwarding unit 50. And a stack plate 35 is providedwhich stacks the paper sheet A in the direction of an arrow C. On theother hand, the push-in mechanism provided in the paying-out unit 40 isdriven by a stack motor M3 and a gear mechanism (not shown) which areprovided in the forwarding unit 50. And a stack plate 45 is providedwhich stacks the paper sheet B in the direction of an arrow D. Theposition of each such stack plate 35, 45 as described above is changedby each stack motor M1, M3. Specifically, they are moved in thedirection where they are apart from each other, and reach a push-inposition in which the stored paper sheet A, paper sheet B are pushed in.Also, they are moved in the direction where they come close to eachother, and reach an acceptance position in which each paper sheet can beaccepted. The position of each stack plate 35, 45, which is changed insuch a way as described above, can be detected. Each such stack plate35, 45 is kept in the push-in position at an ordinary time (or when eachprocessing mentioned later is not yet executed). This keeps the papersheet A or B which is stored in the collecting unit 30 or the paying-outunit 40, from being unjustly taken out. Moreover, the stack plate 45 ofthe paying-out unit 40 is moved to the acceptance position, and in thatstate, the forwarding belt 44 is configured to forward the paper sheet Bstored in the paying-out unit 40 to the side of the opening portion 22by the drive of the forwarding motor M4. Herein, as the push-inmechanism 33 and the push-in mechanism of the paying-out unit 40, forexample, a pusher or the like shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.9-16829 may be used.

[0094] The paper sheet handling apparatus 1 configured in this wayincludes a controller (not shown) which controls each of the abovedescribed component elements. Based on the following steps by thecontrol of this controller, it accepts the paper sheet A inserted fromthe opening portion 22.

[0095]FIG. 6 is a main routine, showing acceptance processing of thepaper sheet handling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0096] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, an acceptance processing Sstarts when the inlet sensor 23 detects a paper sheet inserted by a user(hereinafter, the state in which each sensor has detected the papersheet A in this way is shown as ON). If the inlet sensor 23 is OFF (orNO at Step S1), Step S1 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, ifthe inlet sensor 23 is ON (or YES at Step S1), the inlet shutter 24 isopened (in Step S2). If the inlet shutter 24 is opened, normalrevolutions of the forwarding motor M2 (or its drive to the direction inwhich the paper sheet A is forwarded into the paper sheet handlingapparatus 1) is started (in Step S3) to forward the paper sheet A alongthe paper sheet forwarding line 21. Next, judgment is made whether ornot the paper sheet A forwarded in this way has turned ON the passagesensor 25 (in Step S4). If the judgment is made that the passage sensor25 is not ON (or NO at Step S4), Step S4 is repeatedly executed. On theother hand, if the judgment is made that the passage sensor 25 is ON (orYES at Step S4), an identification of the paper sheet A by theidentification sensor portion 26 is started (in Step S5). The papersheet A whose identification has been started continues to be forwarded.Then, judgment is made whether or not its front end has turned ON thefeed-in sensor 55 (in Step S6). If the judgment is made that the feed-insensor 55 is OFF (or NO at Step S6), Step S6 is repeatedly executed. Onthe other hand, if the judgment is made that the feed-in sensor 55 is ON(or YES at Step S6), the inlet shutter 24 is closed (in Step S7), andthe extraction lever 56 is opened (in Step S8). If the extraction lever56 is opened in this way, the paper sheet A continues to be forwarded,and its identification by the identification sensor 26 b is completed.From the result of this identification, judgment is made whether or notthe paper sheet A is genuine (in Step S9). If the judgment is made thatthe paper sheet A is not genuine (or NO at Step S9), a return processingT for returning the paper sheet A to the user is executed.

[0097]FIG. 7 is a flow chart, showing return processing in theacceptance processing S of FIG. 6.

[0098] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, when the return processing Tis started, the forwarding motor M2 is stopped (in Step T1), and theinlet shutter 24 is opened (in Step T2). Next, reverse revolutions ofthe forwarding motor M2 (or its drive to the direction in which thepaper sheet A is forwarded to the side of the opening portion 22) isstarted (in Step T3) to forward the paper sheet A to the side of theuser. Judgment is made whether or not the paper sheet A forwarded inthis way has turned ON the inlet sensor 23 (in Step T4). If the judgmentis made that the inlet sensor 23 is OFF (or NO at Step T4), Step T4 isrepeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that theinlet sensor 23 is ON (or YES at Step T4), the extraction preventionlever 56 is closed (in Step T5). Next, when the paper sheet A forwardedto the side of the opening portion 22 as described above passes throughthe inlet sensor 23, judgment is made whether or not the inlet sensor 23has been turned OFF (in Step T6). If the judgment is made that the inletsensor 23 is ON (or NO at Step T6), Step T6 is repeatedly executed. Onthe other hand, if the judgment is made that the inlet sensor 23 is OFF(or YES at Step T6), the forwarding motor M2 is stopped (in Step T7),the inlet shutter 24 is closed (in Step T8), and a return is made to theacceptance processing S (or the processing is completed).

[0099] On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the paper sheet Ais genuine at Step S9 in the acceptance processing of FIG. 6, judgmentis made whether or not the paper sheet A is the paying-out paper sheet B(in Step S10). If the judgment is made that the paper sheet A is not thepaying-out paper sheet B (or NO at Step S10), a collection and storageprocessing U for storing the paper sheet A in the collecting unit 30 isexecuted.

[0100]FIG. 8 is a flow chart, showing the collection and storageprocessing U in the acceptance processing S of FIG. 6.

[0101] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, when the collection andstorage processing T is started, the above described sorting shutter 57is opened (in Step U1). Herein, the expression of “opened” shows thestate in which the sorting shutter 57 is driven so that the first papersheet forwarding line 51 leads to the paper sheet forwarding line 31.Oppositely, the state in which the sorting shutter 57 is driven so thatthe first paper sheet forwarding line 51 leads to the second paper sheetforwarding line 52 will be shown, hereinafter, by the expression of“closed.” After the sorting shutter 57 has been opened as describedabove, the above described stack motor M1 is driven (in Step U2). Then,judgment is made whether or not the stack plate 35 of the collectingunit 30 is in the acceptance position by this drive (in Step U3). If thejudgment is made that the stack plate 35 is not in the acceptanceposition (or NO at Step U3), Step U2 is repeatedly executed. On theother hand, if the judgment is made that the stack plate 35 is in theacceptance position (or YES at Step U3), the stack motor M1 is stopped(in Step U4), and the judgment is made whether or not the feed-outsensor 58 has been turned ON (in Step U5). If the judgment is made thatthe feed-out sensor 58 is OFF (or NO at Step U5), Step U5 is repeatedlyexecuted. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the feed-outsensor 58 is ON (or YES at Step U5), a paper sheet count used for thecollecting unit 30 increases (in Step U6). Herein, the paper sheet countis a value which shows the number of the paper sheets A that are storedin the collecting unit 30. As described above, every time the feed-outsensor 58 is turned ON, that adds to the paper sheet count. This makesit easy to administer the number of the stored paper sheets A when thecollecting unit 30 is collected. After the paper sheet count isincreased in this way, the paper sheet A passes through the feed-outsensor 58, and thereby, judgment is made whether or not the feed-outsensor 58 has been turned OFF (in Step U7). If the judgment is made thatthe feed-out sensor 58 is ON (or NO at Step U7), Step U7 is repeatedlyexecuted. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the feed-outsensor 58 is OFF (or YES at Step U7), the forwarding motor M2 is stopped(in Step U8), and the extraction prevention lever 56 is closed (in StepU9). Next, the stack motor M1 is driven (in Step U10). Then, judgment ismade whether or not the stack plate 35 has been brought to the push-inposition by this drive (in Step U11). If the judgment is made that thestack plate 35 is not in the push-in position (or NO at Step U11), StepU10 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is madethat the stack plate 35 is in the push-in position (or YES at Step U11),the stack motor M1 is stopped (in Step U12), the sorting shutter 57 isclosed (in Step U13), and a return is made to the acceptance processingS (or the processing is completed).

[0102] On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the paper sheet Ais not the paying-out paper sheet B at the above described step S10(refer to FIG. 6), a paying-out storage processing V for storing thepaper sheet A in the paying-out unit 40 is executed.

[0103]FIG. 9 is a flow chart, showing a paying-out storage processing Vin the acceptance processing S of FIG. 6.

[0104] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 9, when the paying-out storageprocessing V is executed, the stack motor M3 is driven (in Step V1).Then, judgment is made whether or not the stack plate 45 of thepaying-out unit 40 has been brought to the acceptance position by thisdrive (in Step V2). If the judgment is made that the stack plate 45 isnot in the acceptance position (or NO at Step V2), Step V1 is repeatedlyexecuted. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the stackplate 45 is in the acceptance position (or YES at Step V2), the stackmotor M3 is stopped (in Step V3). Then, judgment is made whether or notthe above described double-ticket detection sensor 61 has been turned ON(in Step V4). If the judgment is made that the double-ticket detectionsensor 61 is OFF (or NO at Step V4), Step V4 is repeatedly executed. Onthe other hand, if the judgment is made that the double-ticket detectionsensor 61 is ON (or YES at Step V4), the forwarding motor M4 is revolvedin its normal direction (in Step V5). Then, a paper sheet count used forthe paying-out unit 40 increases (in Step V6). Next, the paper sheet Bpasses through the double-ticket detection sensor 61, and thereby,judgment is made whether or not the double-ticket detection sensor 61has been turned OFF (in Step V7). If the judgment is made that thedouble-ticket detection sensor 61 is ON (or NO at Step V7), Step V6 isrepeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that thedouble-ticket detection sensor 61 is OFF (or YES at Step V7), theforwarding motors M2 and M4 are stopped (in Step V8), and the extractionprevention lever 56 is closed (in Step V9). Next, the stack motor M3 isdriven (in Step V10). Then, judgment is made whether or not the stackplate 45 is has been brought to the push-in position by this drive (inStep V11). If the judgment is made that the stack plate 45 is not in thepush-in position (or NO at Step V11), Step V9 is repeatedly executed. Onthe other hand, if the judgment is made that the stack plate 45 is inthe push-in position (or YES at Step V11), the stack motor M3 is stopped(in Step V12), and a return is made to the above described acceptanceprocessing S (or the processing is completed).

[0105] As described hereinbefore, the paper sheet handling apparatus 1is designed to accept the paper sheet A inserted from the openingportion 22 by a user. On the other hand, based on Steps described below,it is designed to pay out the paying-out paper sheet B which is storedin the paying-out unit 40, from the opening portion 22.

[0106]FIG. 10 is a main routine, showing paying-out processing of thepaper sheet handling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0107] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, when a predeterminedpaying-out signal is inputted, a paying-out processing W is started.Herein, the “predetermined paying-out signal” is, for example, in thecase where the paper sheet handling apparatus 1 is used for a card-typevending machine, a signal which is generated when a user has inserted apaper sheet required for buying a card, from the opening portion 22. Ifsuch a paying-out signal is not inputted (or NO at Step W1), Step W1 isrepeatedly executed. On the other hand, If the paying-out signal hasbeen inputted (or YES at Step W1), the stack motor M3 is driven (in StepW2). Then, judgment is made whether or not the stack plate 45 has beenbrought to the acceptance position by this drive (in Step W3). If thejudgment is made that the stack plate 45 is not in the acceptanceposition (or NO at Step W3), Step W2 is repeatedly executed. On theother hand, if the judgment is made that the stack plate 45 is in theacceptance position (or YES at Step W3), the stack motor M3 is stopped(in Step W4). Next, the forwarding motors M2 and M4 are revolved intheir reverse directions (in Step W5), the paying-out paper sheet Bstarts to be forwarded. Then, judgment is made whether or not thispaying-out paper sheet B has turned ON the double-ticket detectionsensor 61 (in Step W6). If the judgment is made that the double-ticketdetection sensor 61 is OFF (or NO at Step W6), Step W6 is repeatedlyexecuted. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that thedouble-ticket detection sensor 61 is ON (or YES at Step W6), theforwarding motor M4 is stopped (in Step W7). In addition, the figure ofa paper sheet counter used for the paying-out unit 40 decreases (in StepW8). Next, judgment is made by the double-ticket detection sensor 61whether or not there are double tickets (or paper sheets in layers)among the paying-out paper sheets B (in Step W9). If the judgment ismade that there are double tickets among the paying-out paper sheets B(or NO at Step W9), the forwarding motor M2 is stopped (in Step W10).Then, the forwarding motors M2 and M4 are revolved in their normaldirections (in Step W11), the figure of the paper sheet counter used forthe paying-out unit 40 increases (in Step W12). Next, the paying-outpaper sheets B are forwarded to the side of the paying-out unit 40, andpass through the double-ticket detection sensor 61. Thereby, judgment ismade whether the double-ticket detection sensor 61 has been turned OFF,or not (in Step W13). If the judgment is made that the double-ticketdetection sensor 61 is ON (or NO at Step W13), Step W13 is repeatedlyexecuted. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that thedouble-ticket detection sensor 61 is OFF (or YES at Step W13), theforwarding motors M2 and M4 are stopped (in Step W14) and Step W5 isrepeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is made thatthere are not any double tickets among the paying-out paper sheets B inthe above described Step W9, the extraction lever 57 is opened (in StepW15). Then, the paying-out paper sheets B are forwarded to the side ofthe identifying unit 20. Next, judgment is made whether or not thepaying-out paper sheet B which has been forwarded to the identifyingunit 20 in this way is a paper sheet of the type to be paid out by theidentification sensor 26 b (in Step W16). If the judgment is made thatthe paying-out paper sheet B is not a paper sheet of the type to be paidout (or NO at Step W16), a paying-out termination processing X forstoring the paying-out paper sheet B in the collecting unit 30 isexecuted. In other words, the paying-out paper sheet B is treated as thepaper sheet A in the following processing.

[0108]FIG. 11 is a flow chart, showing the paying-out terminationprocessing X in the paying-out processing W of FIG. 10.

[0109] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 11, when the paying-outtermination processing X is executed, the forwarding motor M2 is stopped(in Step X1). Then, the forwarding motor M2 is revolved in its normaldirection (in Step X2). The paper sheet A (or the former paper sheet B)forwarded by a normal revolution of the forwarding motor M2 in this wayis forwarded to the collecting unit 30. However, this processing is thesame as the above described collection and storage processing U, andthus, its description is omitted here. After the collection and storageprocessing U has been executed, the paying-out termination processing Xexecutes Step W17 of the above described paying-out processing W.

[0110] With reference to FIG. 10 again, in Step W17, judgment is madewhether or not all the paying-out paper sheets have been paid out in thepaying-out processing W (in Step W16). If the judgment is made that thepaying-out of all the paper sheets has not been completed (or NO at StepW17), Step W5 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgmentis made that the paying-out of all the paper sheets has been completed(or YES at Step W17), the paying-out processing is completed.

[0111] On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the paper sheet Bis a paper sheet of the type to be paid out in Step W16, a paying-outforwarding processing Y for paying out the paying-out paper sheet B tothe opening portion 22 is executed.

[0112]FIG. 12 is a flow chart, showing the paying-out forwardingprocessing Y in the paying-out processing W of FIG. 10.

[0113] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 12, when the paying-outforwarding processing Y is executed, the above described inlet shutter24 is opened (in Step Y1), and then, the paper sheet B is forwarded tothe opening portion 22. Thereby, judgment is made whether or not theabove described inlet sensor 23 have been turned ON (in Step Y2). If thejudgment is made that the inlet sensor 23 is OFF (or NO at Step Y2),Step Y2 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment ismade that the inlet sensor 23 is ON (or YES at Step Y2), the abovedescribed extraction lever 56 is closed (in Step Y3). Next, as describedabove, the paper sheet B which is forwarded to the side of the openingportion 22 passes through the inlet sensor 23. Thereby, judgment is madewhether or not the above described inlet sensor 23 have been turned OFF(in Step Y4). If the judgment is made that the inlet sensor 23 is ON (orNO at Step Y4), Step Y4 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, ifthe judgment is made that the inlet sensor 23 is OFF (or YES at StepY4), the forwarding motor M2 is stopped (in Step Y5), the inlet shutter24 is closed (in Step Y6), and Step W17 of the above describedpaying-out processing W is executed.

[0114] By the paying-out processing W described above, the paper sheethandling apparatus 1 is designed to pay out the paper sheet B which isstored in the paying-out unit 40, to the side of the opening portion 22.

[0115] Accordingly, the following advantages can be obtained accordingto the first embodiment. The identifying unit 20 and the forwarding unit50 are disposed in the front-and-rear directions, the collecting unit 30is disposed below them, and the paying-out unit 40 is disposed on theinner side from the collecting unit 30. This makes the heightmeasurement shorter. On the other hand, the identifying unit 20 and theforwarding unit 50 are disposed in the front-and-rear directions, andthe identifying unit 20 forwards and identifies the paper sheet A. Thus,only the identification sensor portion 26 needs to be at least providedfor the identifying unit 20. As described earlier, even though the frontend of the paper sheet A is located inside of the forwarding unit 50when identified, that does not constitute any obstacles. This makes itpossible to shorten the front-and-rear measurements of the identifyingunit 20 and the forwarding unit 50 to their limited measurements, eventhough there are limitations on the housing space in the front-and-reardirections. In addition, the direction in which a paper sheet isforwarded between the collecting unit 30 and the forwarding unit 50 isset to the up-and-down directions. Thereby, the front-and-rearmeasurement of the collecting unit 30 can be made as short as possible.This presents ample space on the inner side from the collecting unit 30.In that ample space,the paying-out unit 40 can be placed whosefront-and-rear measurement is made shorter by setting the paper sheetforwarding direction between it and the forwarding unit 50 to theup-and-down directions. Therefore, even though the housing space islimited in the front-and-rear directions, the front-and-rearmeasurements of the collecting unit 30 and the paying-out unit 40 can bemade shorter to their limited measurements.

[0116] Moreover, to the outer frame 10, the collecting unit 30 and thepaying-out unit 40 are attached from its front side so as to beattachable and detachable. Thereby, regardless of the disposition ofother units around the place where the paper sheet handling apparatus 1is housed, the identified paper sheet A that has been stored in thecollecting unit 30 can be collected. In addition, the paying-out papersheet B can be supplied to the paying-out unit 40, thereby making itpossible to receive and pay out a paper sheet.

[0117] (Second Embodiment)

[0118]FIG. 13 is a right-side sectional view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. Herein, its componentparts have the same reference numerals as those of those whichcorrespond to FIG. 3.

[0119] The paper sheet handling apparatus 1A according to thisembodiment is provided with a third paper sheet forwarding line 71, inaddition to the above described first paper sheet forwarding line 51 andsecond paper sheet forwarding line 52, inside of a forwarding unit 50A.A paying-out unit 80 includes two paying-out portions 81, 82. In thethird paper sheet forwarding line 71, an outlet 71 b is formed downwardwhich corresponds to an opening 14 c behind an opening 14 b provided inthe shelf plate 14. The front paying-out portion 81 is used for payingout a paper sheet, which is configured in the same way as the abovedescribed paying-out unit 40. On the other hand, the rear paying-outportion 82 is used for paying out a cut-sheet which undergoes printingwhen paid out, for example, a blank ticket 83. It can be detachedforward, if the collecting unit 30 and the front paying-out portion 81are removed forward. It is provided inside with a paper sheet forwardingline 84 in the up-and-down directions, a delivery roller 85, a feedroller 86, a separation roller 87, and a push-in mechanism (not shown).This push-in mechanism stacks the blank tickets 83 in the direction ofan arrow E. For example, a pusher or the like shown in Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 9-16829 may be used. Herein, in the state where thepaying-out portion 82 is attached to outer frame 10, the paper sheetforwarding line 84 is designed to correspond to the opening 14 c of theshelf plate 14.

[0120] The first paper sheet forwarding line 51 leads to the paper sheetforwarding line 31 of the collecting unit 30. The second paper sheetforwarding line 52 branches off from a midway part of the first papersheet forwarding line 51, and leads to the paper sheet forwarding line41 of the front paying-out portion 81. The third paper sheet forwardingline 71 branches off from a midway part of the second paper sheetforwarding line 52, and leads to the paper sheet forwarding line 84 ofthe rear paying-out portion 82. Herein, a second sorting shutter 72 isprovided at the branching part of the second paper sheet forwarding line52 and the third paper sheet forwarding line 71. The second sortingshutter 72 closes the third paper sheet forwarding line 71 whenforwarding the paper sheet B to the paying-out portion 81. It also movesso as to open the third paper sheet forwarding line 71 when forwardingthe blank ticket 83 paid out from the paying-out portion 82 to theopening portion 22. Along the third paper sheet forwarding line 71 areprovided a roller 73, a platen roller 74, a thermal head 75, and adouble-ticket detection sensor 76.

[0121] The drive of these roller 73 and platen roller 74, and the abovedescribed delivery roller 85, feed roller 86 and separation roller 87,is controlled by a forwarding motor M5. The drive of the above describedpush-in mechanism is controlled by the stack motor M3 and a gearmechanism (not shown), so that the blank tickets 83 are stacked in thearrow-E direction.

[0122] The paying-out portion 82 can be prevented from being, or can be,detached forward by a locking device 63A, in the same operation as theabove described locking device 63. Herein, the locking device 63Aincludes a rod 64 a which is longer than the locking device 63, and alock strip 66A which is fixed on its rear end.

[0123] The blank ticket 83 stored in the paying-out portion 82 isdelivered by the delivery roller 85, is printed at the thermal head 75,and then, is paid out from the opening portion 22.

[0124] Accordingly, the following advantages can be obtained accordingto the second embodiment, in addition to the advantages obtainedaccording to the first embodiment. Two types of paper sheets can be paidout, which are the paying-out paper sheet B and the blank ticket 83.This allows various types of housing equipment to be used, thusincreasing the types of housing equipment applicable to the paper sheethandling apparatus 1A. With respect to each paying-out portion 81, 82,the paying-out blank tickets 83 can be supplied to the paying-outportion 82 at their inner part, if the front paying-out portion 81 isdetached.

[0125] Herein, in the paper sheet handling apparatus 1A according to thesecond embodiment, three storage portions, such as the collecting unit30, the paying-out portion 81 and the paying-out portion 82, have to beplaced in the front-and-rear directions. Therefore, preferably, itshould be used in the case where it has the space that is large enoughto place them in the front-and-rear directions.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the above described second embodiment,the blank ticket 83 as a cut-sheet is paid out from the paying-outportion 82. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Asshown in FIG. 14, a fan-fold sheet 83A with perforations, or a rollsheet (not shown), which is used as a continuous form, may also beprinted at the thermal head 75. In that case, then, it is cut off with acutter 77 and is paid out from the opening portion 22. At this time, itis preferable that the perforations of the fan-fold sheet 83A, should bemonitored, for example, by the double-ticket detection sensor 76, andbased on its result, the part of the perforations is cut off, using thecutter 77. With respect to the blank ticket 83, the fan-fold sheet 83Aand the roll sheet, various types of them may also be used. For example,a part of it is already printed and only an amount of money is printedat the thermal head 75. Or, a certain kind of design, as well as anamount, is printed on a completely blank sheet of paper.

[0127] (Third Embodiment)

[0128]FIG. 15 is a perspective exploded view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus 1B according to a third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a right-sidesectional view of the rear-end part of that paper sheet handlingapparatus 1B.

[0129] According to this third embodiment, behind the paying-out portion82 for paying out a blank ticket which is provided in the paper sheethandling apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.13, moreover, there is provided a card paying-out portion 90 whichstores a printed card 91. On the other hand, in a forwarding unit 50B, afourth paper sheet forwarding line 101 is provided which that branchesoff from a midway part of the third paper sheet forwarding line 71. Athird sorting shutter 100 is provided at the branching point of thethird paper sheet forwarding line 71 and the fourth paper sheetforwarding line 101. Reference character and numeral M6 in the figuredenotes a forwarding motor for paying out a card. By controlling thedrive of this forwarding motor M6, the card 91 stored in the cardpaying-out portion 90 is paid out from the opening portion 22 throughthe fourth paper sheet forwarding line 101. An outlet 101 b which isformed downward in the fourth paper sheet forwarding line 101corresponds to an opening 14 d formed behind the opening 14 c in theshelf plate 14. Herein, the openings 14 a, 14 b are omitted in FIG. 15.

[0130] In the card paying-out portion 90, a paper sheet forwarding line91 which leads to the fourth paper sheet forwarding line 101 is formedin the up-and-down directions. Along the paper sheet forwarding line 91,there are provided a pair of rollers 92, a separation roller 93 and adelivery roller 94. In the card paying-out portion 90, an open-and-closeportion 96 is provided on the right side of its outside frame. The card91 can be supplied inside from the open-and-close portion 96.

[0131] The above described paying-out portion 82 and card paying-outportion 90, and the paying-out portion 81 provided ahead of thepaying-out portion 82, are placed in the front-and-rear directions andare housed in an inside frame 110. Herein, the inside frame 110 can beattached and detached inside between the bottom plate 13 and the shelfplate 14 of the outer frame 10. An opening portion 112 is formed at thepart which corresponds to the open-and-close portion 96 of the cardpaying-out portion 90 in a right-hand side plane 111 of the inside frame110.

[0132] The inside frame 110 can be detached forward after the collectingunit 30 has been removed forward. It can be attached in the oppositeway. While the inside frame 110 is attached to the outer frame 10, thepaper sheet forwarding line 92 is designed to correspond to the opening14 d.

[0133] Accordingly, the following advantages can be obtained accordingto the third embodiment, in addition to the advantages obtainedaccording to the first embodiment. Three types of paper sheets can bepaid out, which are the paying-out paper sheet B, the blank ticket 83and the printed card 91. This allows various types of housing equipmentto be used, thus increasing the types of housing equipment applicable tothe paper sheet handling apparatus 1B. In addition, the inside frame 110is detached as described earlier, and thus, the paying-out card 91 canbe supplied to the inmost card paying-out portion 90, by opening theopen-and-close portion 96 exposed to the opening portion 112, withoutdetaching the front paying-out portions 81, 82. This offers an advantagein that the feeding operation can be improved.

[0134] According to the third embodiment, a printed card is paid out,but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, amagnetic card may also be paid out from the card paying-out portion 90.In that case, magnetic recording is executed on the magnetic card by amagnetic recording device provided in advance in the forwarding unit50B.

[0135] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0136]FIG. 17 is a right-side sectional view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus 1C according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a plan,partially sectional view of a collecting unit 30A in FIG. 17. FIG. 18Ashows a state in which an acceptance bar has accepted a paper sheet A,FIG. 18B shows a state in which the acceptance bar is being driven, andFIG. 18C shows a state in which the paper sheet A has been sorted out bythe acceptance bar. Herein, the reference numerals and characters of thesame component parts as those in FIG. 3 are omitted, and only thereference numerals and characters of the component parts which aredifferent from those of FIG. 3 are given in the following description.

[0137] In the paper sheet handling apparatus 1C according to thisembodiment, the collecting unit 30A is provided which includes a sortingand storage portion 310 that can sort and store two types of papersheets according to their types. In this collecting unit 30A, a pair ofright and left acceptance bars 311 are provided which are configured toaccept the paper sheet A forwarded from the above described first papersheet forwarding line 51. These acceptance bars 311 are substantiallycylindrical members which extend in the up-and-down directions. They areopened in one circumferential direction and are provided with a slit 311a which extends in the axial-center direction. According to thisembodiment, these slits 311 a face each other, and thus, the slits 311 aconfigures a paper sheet forwarding line for accepting the paper sheetA. Each acceptance bar 311 is supported with the collecting unit 30A, sothat they can be rotated around each axial center. They are designed tobe rotated in the directions opposite to each other by the drive of theabove described stack motors M1, M3. Ahead of and behind each acceptancebar 311 configured in this way, the paper sheets A of different typesfrom each other are designed to be stored. The paper sheets A of twotypes are stacked in the directions apart from each other and are storedin the collecting unit 30A. The paper sheets A stacked in this way areeach supported with a pair of press plates 312 which are provided aheadof and behind the acceptance bars 311. In that state, they are stored inthe collecting unit 30A. These press plates 312 are pressed in thedirections where they come close to each other by the force of elasticmembers 313 which are provided so as to face each other in thefront-and-rear directions of the collecting unit 30A. The acceptancebars 311 of the sorting and storage portion 310 configured in this wayare driven by the above described stack motor M1. Then, the paper sheetsare sorted out and stored in the collecting unit 30A, as describedbelow.

[0138] For example, in the case where the paper sheets A are stored inthe front part of the sorting and storage portion 310, the collectingunit 30A operates as described below. First, as shown in FIG. 18A, thedrive of the stack motors M1, M3 allows the slit 311 a of eachacceptance bar 311 to face each other, so that the paper sheet Aforwarded from the first forwarding line is accepted at each slit 311 a.In this state, the paper sheet A are supported at both itsright-and-left end parts with each acceptance bar 311. Next, as shown inFIG. 18B, the drive of the stack motor M1 allows the acceptance bar 311on the upper side of this paper (or the left side) to rotate clockwiseon the paper, while it allows the other acceptance bar 311 to rotatecounterclockwise on the paper. When the acceptance bars 311 are rotatedin this way, the paper sheet A is gradually led ahead of each acceptancebar 311, with both its right-and-left end parts kept supported with theacceptance bars 311. When each acceptance bar 311 is rotated further, asshown in FIG. 18C, the paper sheet A is led farther ahead of eachacceptance bar 311. Then, both its right-and-left end parts of the papersheet A slip from the slits 311 a. As a result, the paper sheet A isstored in the front part of the sorting and storage portion 310.

[0139] Accordingly, the following advantages can be obtained accordingto the fourth embodiment, in addition to the advantages obtainedaccording to the above described embodiments. If two types of papersheets A have to be sorted out according to their types to the abovedescribed collecting unit 30, there is no need for new storage space.This makes it possible to omit the space for essential storage space. Asa result, each paper sheet A can be stored, with the whole paper sheethandling apparatus 1C keeping its front-and-rear measurement at a smallspace.

[0140] Herein, when two types of paper sheets A are sorted out andstored as described above, that is not limited to the method in whichthey are sorted out and stored by the acceptance bars 311. For example,another method may also be used, such as using a large-dominationbank-note storage portion disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.8-153230.

[0141] In addition, the fact that the paper sheets A inside of thecollecting unit 30 are sorted out and stored has been described above.However, such a method is not limited to that. For example, the papersheets B inside of the paying-out unit 40 can also be sorted out andstored.

[0142] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 19, a storage unit 320 is providedwhich is configured by uniting the collecting unit 30 and the paying-outunit 40. The above described push-in mechanism 33 is provided in theposition which corresponds to each of the collecting unit 30 and thepaying-out unit 40. Thereby, although it is a single unit, the storageunit 320 can sort and store the paper sheets A or the paper sheets Bwhich correspond to collection or paying-out. This makes its housingspace smaller than in the case where the collecting unit 30 and thepaying-out unit 40 are separately provided.

[0143] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0144]FIG. 20 is a right-side sectional view of a paper sheet handlingapparatus 1D according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flow chart,showing a paying-out processing WW of the paper sheet handling apparatus1D in FIG. 20. Herein, the reference numerals and characters of the samecomponent parts as those in FIG. 3 are omitted, and only the referencenumerals and characters of the component parts which are different fromthose of FIG. 3 are given in the following description.

[0145] The paper sheet handling apparatus 1D according to thisembodiment includes a second paying-out unit 330 which is disposed atthe upper and rear part of the outer frame 10. The paper sheet handlingapparatus 1D also includes a forwarding unit 50C. Inside of thisforwarding unit 50C, a fifth forwarding line 331 is provided, inaddition to the above described first paper sheet forwarding line 51 andsecond paper sheet forwarding line 52. The fifth forwarding line 331extends rearward on the extended line from a midway part of the firstpaper sheet forwarding line 51 which is placed in a straight line fromthe opening portion 22. It bends upward at the rear part of the papersheet handling apparatus 1D, and leads to an outlet 331 a which isformed in the upper and rear part of the outer frame 10. In the secondpaying-out unit 330, an opening 333 is formed which corresponds to thisoutlet 331 a. Since this opening 333 corresponds to the outlet 331 a,the fifth forwarding line 331 is introduced into the second paying-outunit 330. The fifth forwarding line 331 introduced into the secondpaying-out unit 330 in this way configures a route which extendsinclined and upward. Its front-end faces a paying-out storage portion334 which is provided in the front-end part of the second paying-outunit 330, so that the fan-fold sheet 83A inside of the paying-outstorage portion 334 can be introduced. As described above, thispaying-out storage portion 334 is configured to store each paying-outpaper sheet such as the fan-fold sheet 83A. In addition, it is providedwith a lid body 334 a for inserting and extracting from forward thepaying-out paper sheet stored in this way. This lid body 334 a is fixedon a hinge to the upper plane of the second paying-out unit 330 at itsrear-end part. Its front-end part is turned on this hinge, so that itcan cover and open the paying-out storage portion 334. This enables anadministrator to open and close it, as the need arises.

[0146] Furthermore, a fourth sorting shutter 332 is provided at thebranching part of the fifth forwarding line 331 and the first forwardingline 51. This fourth sorting shutter 332 can be moved between theshutting position in which the fifth forwarding line 331 leads to thefirst forwarding line 51, and the opening position in which the fifthforwarding line 331 is shut off from the first forwarding line 51.

[0147] The fan-fold sheet 83A is forwarded along the fifth forwardingline 331 described above. To do this, the fifth forwarding line 331 isprovided with a pair of delivery rollers 335 disposed in the secondpaying-out unit 330, and a feed roller 340 disposed in the forwardingunit 50C. The fifth forwarding line 331 are provided with a thermal head336 for printing the fan-fold sheet 83A, a platen roller 337, a cutter338 for cutting off the fan-fold sheet 83A, and a second identificationsensor 339 (or an identifying device) for identifying a printing levelof the fan-fold sheet 83A. The delivery rollers 335 and the platenroller 337 are driven by a forwarding motor M7 provided in the secondpaying-out unit 330, while the feed roller 340 is driven by the abovedescribed forwarding motor M2.

[0148] The paper sheet handling apparatus 1D configured as describedabove, based on the paying-out processing WW described later, prints thefan-fold sheet 83A stored in the second paying-out unit 330, and cutsoff the fan-fold sheet 83A at a predetermined size. Then, if itsprinting level is appropriate, the fan-fold sheet 83A is paid out to theopening portion 22.

[0149] With reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, when the above describedpaying-out signal is inputted, the paying-out processing WW is started.If this paying-out signal is not inputted (or NO at Step WW1), Step WW1is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if this paying-out signal hasbeen inputted (or YES at Step WW1), the forwarding motors M2 and M7 arerevolved in their reverse directions (in Step WW2). In the state wherethe forwarding motors M2 and M7 are revolved in the reverse directionsand the fan-fold sheet 83A has begun to be forwarded, a printing isstarted by the thermal head 336 (in Step WW3). Then, judgment is madewhether or not the fan-fold sheet 83A has turned ON the secondidentification sensor 339 (in Step WW4). If the judgment is made thatthe second identification sensor 339 is OFF (or NO at Step WW4), StepWW4 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is madethat the second identification sensor 339 is ON (or YES at Step WW4), anidentification is started by the second identification sensor 339 (inStep WW5). Next, the fourth sorting shutter 332 is closed (or the statein which the fifth forwarding line 331 leads to the first paper sheetforwarding line 51) (in Step WW6). Then, the paper sheet count of thesecond paying-out unit 330 decreases (in Step WW7). Next, the extractionprevention lever 56 is opened (in Step WW8). Then, after a predeterminedtime has passed from the time when the second identification sensor 339has been turned ON at Step WW4, the fan-fold sheet 83A is cut off withthe cutter 338 (in Step WW9). Then, the forwarding motor M7 is stopped,and the printing is completed at the same time (in Step WW10). Next, theend part of the fan-fold sheet 83A cut off as described above passesthrough the second identification sensor 339. Then, judgment is madewhether or not the second identification sensor 339 has been turned OFF(in Step WW11). If the judgment is made that the second identificationsensor 339 is ON (or NO at Step WW11), Step WW11 is repeatedly executed.On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the secondidentification sensor 339 is OFF (or YES at Step WW11), theidentification is completed. Then, judgment is made whether or not theprinting level is good (in Step WW12). If the judgment is made that theprinting level is not good, judgment is made whether or not theidentification sensor 26 b has been turned ON (in Step WW13). If thejudgment is made that the identification sensor 26 b is OFF (or NO atStep WW13), Step WW13 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if thejudgment is made that the identification sensor 26 b is ON (or YES atStep WW13), the fourth sorting shutter is opened (in Step WW14). Then,the above described paying-out termination processing X is executed. Ifthe paying-out termination processing X is executed and the fan-foldsheet 83A is forwarded to the collecting unit 30, judgment is madewhether or not the paying-out has been entirely completed after thispaying-out (in Step WW15). If the judgment is made that the paying-outhas not been entirely completed (or NO at Step WW15), Step WW2 isexecuted. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the paying-outhas been entirely completed (or YES at Step WW15), this processing iscompleted.

[0150] On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the printinglevel is good at Step WW12 (or YES at Step WW12), judgment is madewhether or not the identification sensor 26 b has been turned ON (inStep WW16). If the judgment is made that the identification sensor 26 bis OFF (or NO at Step WW16), Step WW16 is repeatedly executed. On theother hand, if the judgment is made that the identification sensor 26 bis ON (or YES at Step WW16), the fourth sorting shutter is opened (inStep WW17). Then, the above described paying-out forwarding processing Yis executed. After the paying-out forwarding processing Y is executedand the fan-fold sheet 83A is paid out to the user, Step WW15 isexecuted. If the judgment is made that the paying-out has been entirelycompleted (or YES at Step WW15), this processing is completed.

[0151] Accordingly, the following advantages can be obtained accordingto the fifth embodiment, in addition to the advantages obtainedaccording to the above described embodiments. The paper sheet handlingapparatus ID includes the second paying-out unit 330, and the secondpaying-out unit 330 is provided with the lid body 334 a. Therefore, byopening the lid body 334 a, an administrator can easily supply thefan-fold sheet 83A or the like from ahead of the paper sheet handlingapparatus ID. In addition, the paper sheet handling apparatus ID isprovided with the second identification sensor 339 for identifying aprinting level of the fan-fold sheet 83A. Based on the identification bythe second identification sensor 339, the fan-fold sheet 83A whoseprinting level is not good is forwarded to the collecting unit 30, andthen, the fan-fold sheet 83A is paid out again. This allows only theones which have good printing-levels to be paid out to the user.

[0152] Herein, the paper sheet handling apparatus ID includes the secondpaying-out unit 330 in the upper part of the outer frame 10. Hence,preferably, it should be used in the case where it has the housing spacewhich is large enough in the up-and-down directions.

[0153] Furthermore, the second paying-out unit 330 of the paper sheethandling apparatus 1D stores the fan-fold sheet 83A. However, a magneticcard or the like as described above may also be stored. In that case,the thermal head 336 is replaced with a magnetic recording device, and amagnetic-recording level of the magnetic card is judged by the secondidentification sensor 339.

[0154] (Sixth Embodiment)

[0155] According to the fifth embodiment, the second identificationsensor 339 is provided to identify printing levels. However, instead ofit, printing levels can also be identified by the above describedidentification sensor 26 b.

[0156]FIG. 22 is a flow chart, showing a part of another embodiment ofthe paying-out processing W shown in FIG. 10.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 22, after the judgment is made that thepaying-out paper sheet B is the one to be paid out at Step W16 (or YESat Step W16), in this paying-out processing W, an identification is madeby the identification sensor 26 b whether or not the paying-out papersheet B has a good level (in Step W161). If the identification is madethat the paying-out paper sheet B has a good level (or YES at StepW161), the paying-out forwarding processing Y is executed. On the otherhand, if the identification is made that the paying-out paper sheet Bdoes not have a good level (or NO at Step W161), the above describedpaying-out termination processing X is executed. Herein, “the paying-outpaper sheet B's level” represents a printing level including bar-codeinformation, or a magnetic-recording level. If the above describedprocessing is executed, the same advantages as in the fifth embodimentcan be obtained, without providing the additional identification sensor339 as described above.

[0158] (Seventh Embodiment)

[0159] On the other hand, identifying the level of a paper sheet by theidentification sensor 26 b as described above is not limited to the timewhen the paying-out processing W is executed. For example, the papersheet A can be efficiently accepted by executing the followingprocessing.

[0160]FIG. 23 is a flow chart, showing a part of another embodiment ofthe acceptance processing S shown in FIG. 6.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 23, after the judgment is made that the papersheet A is the paying-out paper sheet B at Step S10 (or YES at StepS10), in this acceptance processing S, an identification is made by theidentification sensor 26 b whether or not the paper sheet A has a goodlevel (in Step S101). If the identification is made that the paper sheetA has a good level (or YES at Step S101), the paying-out storageprocessing V is executed. On the other hand, if the identification ismade that the paper sheet A does not have a good level (or NO at StepS101), the above described collection and storage processing U isexecuted. Herein, “the paper sheet A's level” represents, for example,the state of the bent or ripped paper sheet A. If such a paper sheet Ais forwarded to the paying-out unit 40, then, when paid out, sometrouble may be caused in the process of its forwarding. Hence, in theacceptance processing S, even though it can be identified as genuineonly at a certain possible level, the damaged paper sheet A is designedto be forwarded to the collecting unit 30. This prevents the abovedescribed trouble from being caused.

[0162] (Eighth Embodiment)

[0163] Furthermore, in the acceptance processing S, the direction inwhich the paper sheet A is inserted from the opening portion 22 isjudged by the identification sensor 26 b. This allows the paper sheet Ato be more efficiently accepted.

[0164]FIG. 24 is a flow chart, showing a part of still anotherembodiment of the acceptance processing S shown in FIG. 6.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 24, after the judgment is made that the papersheet A is the paying-out paper sheet B at Step S10 (or YES at StepS10), in this acceptance processing S, an identification is made by theidentification sensor 26 b whether or not the direction of the papersheet A is good (in Step S102). If the identification is made that thedirection of the paper sheet A is good (or YES at Step S102), thepaying-out storage processing V is executed. On the other hand, if theidentification is made that the direction of the paper sheet A is notgood (or NO at Step S102), the collection and storage processing U isexecuted. Herein, “the direction in which the paper sheet A is good”represents, for example, the direction in which the right side of thepaper sheet A is placed up and the printed figure of the paper sheet Ais on its front side, which is a preset paper sheet direction. In otherwords, only the paper sheet A that has been judged to be such a presetdirection is forwarded to the paying-out unit 40. Thereby, the directionof the paper sheet B paid out later is unified, thus allowing thedirection of the paper sheet B paid out to the user to become uniform,every time it is paid out.

[0166] (Ninth Embodiment)

[0167] As described above, the identification sensor 26 b can be usedfor various kinds of identifications. Hence, a reference reading papersheet can be used for managing the identification sensor 26 b used withhigh frequency. On this reference reading paper sheet, specificidentification information is recorded which can be read by theidentification sensor 26 b. This identification information is stored inadvance in the above described controller. Such a reference readingpaper sheet is stored in the collecting unit 30, and in addition, thefollowing steps are added to the paying-out processing W. Therefore, theprecision of the identification sensor 26 b can be adjusted when thepaying-out processing W is executed.

[0168]FIG. 25 is a flow chart, showing a part of another embodiment ofthe paying-out processing W shown in FIG. 10.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 25, after the judgment is made that thepaying-out paper sheet B is not the paper sheet to be paid out at StepW16 (or NO at Step W16), in this paying-out processing W, judgment ismade by the identification sensor 26 b whether or not the paying-outpaper sheet B is not the reference reading paper sheet (in Step W162).If the judgment is made that the paying-out paper sheet B is not thereference reading paper sheet (or YES at Step W162), the paying-outtermination processing X is executed. On the other hand, if the judgmentis made that the paying-out paper sheet B is the reference reading papersheet (or NO at Step W162), judgment is made whether or not an actualmeasurement value by the identification sensor 26 b over the referencereading paper sheet is within the range of identification which arerecorded in the controller (or the range which is set by adding orsubtracting, the identification error of the identification sensor 26 b,to or from, the identification information) (in Step W163). If thejudgment is made that the actual measurement value is within the rangeof identification (or YES at Step W164), the paying-out terminationprocessing X is executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is madethat the actual measurement value is not within the range ofidentification (or NO at Step W164), the sensor level of theidentification sensor 26 b is adjusted so that the actual measurementvalue becomes an appropriate value within the range of identification(in Step W164). Then, the paying-out termination processing X isexecuted.

[0170] In this way, the reference reading paper sheet is stored in thecollecting unit 30. This makes it possible to adjust the precision ofthe identification sensor 26 b when the paying-out processing W isexecuted. Herein, as described above, the identification sensor 26 b isadjusted when the paying-out processing W is executed. However, insteadof this configuration, for example, an administrator can also insert thereference reading paper sheet from the opening portion 22, so that theprecision of the identification sensor 26 b can be adjusted (i.e., theprecision of the identification sensor 26 b can be adjusted when theacceptance processing S is executed).

[0171] Moreover, the precision of the identification sensor 26 b isadjusted, as described above, using the reference reading paper sheet.This allows the precision of the identification sensor 26 b to bemaintained as much as possible when each processing is executed.However, for example, in the case where dust or the like adheres to theidentification sensor 26 b, the precision of the identification sensor26 b may not be kept when each processing is executed. In such a case,dust or the like can be wiped off by allowing a cleaning paper sheet topass through the identification sensor 26 b, when the acceptanceprocessing S or the paying-out processing W is executed. This cleaningpaper sheet includes a wipe portion which is made of an material such asfelt on its whole surface or a part of it. This wipe portion is designedto wipe off the dust or the like which adheres to the identificationsensor 26 b. In the same way as the reference reading paper sheet, sucha cleaning paper sheet can be used when the paying-out processing W orthe acceptance processing S is executed.

[0172] (Tenth Embodiment)

[0173] According to each embodiment described above, for example, whenan administrator collects the paper sheet A from the collecting unit 30,each processing (i.e., the acceptance processing S, and the paying-outprocessing W or WW) by the above described controller has to be oncekept stopped (hereinafter, this state is mentioned as the administratormode). There are a number of methods for shifting the processing of thecontroller to this administrator mode. For example, one of the methodsis the one in which a key owned by the administrator is inserted into akey hole which is formed in each paper sheet handling apparatus 1, 1A,1B, 1C, 1D, and then, the key is turned to a predetermined turningangle. In another method, a magnetic-recording card on which informationfor shifting to the administrator mode is recorded, or a coupon ticketon which bar-code information for shifting to the administrator mode isprinted, is inserted from the opening portion 22. And other well-knownmethods can also be used. As shown in FIG. 26, the administrator canselect each mode by shifting to the administrator mode, as describedabove.

[0174]FIG. 26 is a main routine, showing processing by the controller inthe administrator mode.

[0175] With reference to FIG. 26, as described above, when theadministrator mode is set by the administrator (in Step Z1), a shift canbe made to each mode preset in the administrator mode. If theadministrator-mode end is selected by the administrator (or YES at StepZ6), the administrator-mode is designed to be completed.

[0176] With reference to the same figure, for example, when theadministrator supplies the paying-out paper sheet B to the paying-outunit 40, the administrator selects a manual collection mode (or YES atStep Z2). If the manual collection mode has been selected, judgment ismade whether or not the collecting unit 30 or the paying-out unit 40 hasbeen attached again to the outer frame 10 by the administrator (in StepZ3). If the judgment is made that the collecting unit 30 or thepaying-out unit 40 is not attached again (or NO at Step Z3), Step Z3 isrepeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that thecollecting unit 30 or the paying-out unit 40 is attached again (or YESat Step Z3), judgment is made whether or not money-type information ofthe paying-out paper sheet B supplied to the paying-out unit 40 has beeninputted (in Step Z4). Herein, the “money-type information” representsinformation, such as if the supplied paying-out paper sheet B is aticket used as money, what type of money ticket it is, and which thepaying-out paper sheet B is, the above described blank ticket 83 ormagnetic-recording card. These pieces of information are inputted by theadministrator in an inputting device (now shown). Herein, if the papersheet to be stored in the paying-out unit 40 is preset, there is no needfor the processing of Step Z4. If the judgment is made that themoney-type information of the paying-out paper sheet B is not inputted(or NO at Step Z4), Step Z4 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand,if the judgment is made that the money-type information of thepaying-out paper sheet B is inputted (or YES at Step Z4), a paper sheetcheck processing Q is executed.

[0177]FIG. 27 is a flow chart, showing the paper sheet check processingQ in FIG. 26.

[0178] With reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 10 and FIG. 27, when the papersheet check processing Q is executed, Steps W2 to W15 of the paying-outprocessing W are executed. Specifically, the paying-out paper sheet Bstored in the paying-out unit 40 is forwarded to the identificationsensor 26 b, along the first paper sheet forwarding line 51. When thepaying-out paper sheet B is forwarded to the identification sensor 26 b,judgment is made whether or not the paying-out paper sheet B correspondsto the type of the paying-out paper sheet B inputted (or preset) by theadministrator in Step Z4 (in Step Q1). If the judgment is made that thepaying-out paper sheet B is different from the inputted type (or NO atStep Q1), the above described paying-out storage processing V isexecuted, and a notifying device (not shown) notifies the administratorthat the type of the paying-out paper sheet B is wrong (in Step Q2).Then, Step Z3 is repeatedly executed (refer to FIG. 26). On the otherhand, if the judgment is made that the paying-out paper sheet Bcorresponds to the inputted type at Step Q1, the paying-out storageprocessing V is executed, and the notifying device notifies theadministrator that the type of the paying-out paper sheet B is right (inStep Q3). Then, a return is made to the above describedadministrator-mode processing.

[0179] Accordingly, the paper sheet check processing Q is used asdescribed above. Therefore, the administrator can certainly supply thesuitable paying-out paper sheet B to be supplied to the paying-out unit40 to the paying-out unit 40.

[0180] (Eleventh Embodiment)

[0181] Again, with reference to FIG. 26, for example, if theadministrator has to collect in a lump all the paper sheets stored inboth the paying-out unit 40 and the collecting unit 30, theadministrator selects a simple collection mode (or YES at Step Z5). Ifthis simple collection mode has been selected, a paper sheet shiftprocessing R is executed.

[0182]FIG. 28 is a flow chart, showing the paper sheet shift processingR in FIG. 26.

[0183] With reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 26 and FIG. 28, when the papersheet shift processing R is executed, the stack motor M3 is driven (inStep R1). Then, judgment is made whether or not the stack plate 45 hasbeen brought in the acceptance position by this drive (in Step R2). Ifthe judgment is made that the stack plate 45 is not in the acceptanceposition (or NO at Step R2), Step R1 is repeatedly executed. On theother hand, if the judgment is made that the stack plate 45 is in theacceptance position (or YES at Step R2), the stack motor M3 is stopped(in Step R3). Next, the extraction prevention lever 56 is opened (inStep R4), the forwarding motors M2 and M4 are revolved in their reversedirections (in Step R5), the paying-out paper sheet B starts to beforwarded. Then, when the paying-out paper sheet B is forwarded,judgment is made whether or not the feed-in sensor 55 has been turned ONby the paying-out paper sheet B (in Step R6). If the judgment is madethat the feed-in sensor 55 is OFF (or NO at Step R6), Step R6 isrepeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that thefeed-in sensor 55 is ON (or YES at Step R6), the figure of the papersheet counter used for the paying-out unit 40 decreases (in Step R7).Next, the forwarding motors M2 and M4 are stopped (in Step R8).Thereafter, the forwarding motor is revolved in its normal direction (inStep R9), and the collection and storage processing U is executed. Thepaying-out paper sheet B is forwarded to the collecting unit 30 byexecuting the collection and storage processing U. After the paying-outpaper sheet B has been forwarded in this way, as a result, judgment ismade whether or not all the paying-out paper sheets B inside of thepaying-out unit 40 have been shifted to the collecting unit 30 (in StepR10). If the judgment is made that all the paying-out paper sheets Binside of the paying-out unit 40 is not shifted (or NO at Step R10),Step R4 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the judgment ismade that all the paying-out paper sheets B inside of the paying-outunit 40 is shifted (or YES at Step R10), the stack motor M3 is driven(in Step R11). Next, judgment is made whether or not the stack plate 45has been brought to the push-in position by the drive of the stack motorM3 (in Step R12). If the judgment is made that the stack plate 45 is notin the push-in position (or NO at Step R12), Step R11 is repeatedlyexecuted. On the other hand, if the judgment is made that the stackplate 45 is in the push-in position (or YES at Step R12), the stackmotor M3 is stopped (in Step R13). In this state, the administratordetaches the collecting unit 30 from the outer frame 10, collects thepaper sheets inside of the collecting unit 30 (i.e., all the papersheets stored in the collecting unit 30 and the paying-out unit 40), andagain, attaches it to the outer frame 10. In addition, if the fact thatthe collecting unit 30 has been attached again is inputted by the abovedescribed inputting device (or YES at Step R14), the processing of theabove described controller is shifted to the processing of the abovedescribed administrator mode.

[0184] As described above, the paper sheet shift processing R is used.Therefore, if the administrator has to collect the paper sheets A and Bstored in both the paying-out unit 40 and the collecting unit 30, theadministrator can collect the paper sheets A and B in a lump from thecollecting unit 30.

[0185] Herein, in each embodiment described above, the paying-out papersheet B which is paid out by the paying-out unit is not limited to theone described above. If necessary, there may also be used a cut-sheet ora continuous form, a card which undergoes printing or magneticrecording, or another paying-out paper sheet.

[0186] Furthermore, according to the above described second embodiment,the paying-out unit is configured by including two paying-out portions.However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may also beconfigured by including three or more paying-out portions. In addition,among the above described bank note, cut-sheet, continuous form andcard, and another paper sheet, any one may also be paid out from eachpaying-out portion.

[0187] Furthermore, according to the above described third embodiment,three paying-out portions are configured to be stored in the insideframe. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any two,one behind another in the front-and-rear directions, of the threepaying-out portions may also be configured to be stored in the insideframe. In that case, the opening portion is formed which corresponds tothe rear paying-out portion of them. In addition, the number ofpaying-out portions stored in the inside frame may also be four or more.Moreover, instead of the opening portion formed in the inside frame, anopen-and-close portion may also be formed.

Industrial Applicability

[0188] As described above, in the paper sheet handling apparatusaccording to the present invention, the identifying unit and theforwarding unit are disposed in the front-and-rear directions. Belowthese, the collecting unit is disposed, and the paying-out unit isdisposed at least on the inner side from the collecting unit. Thisallows its up-and-down measurement to become shorter. In addition, theidentifying unit and the forwarding unit are disposed in thefront-and-rear directions, and the identifying unit forwards andidentifies a paper sheet. This saves the identifying unit from having toinclude more than an identifying mechanism. Thus, no obstacle can beconstituted, even if the front end of a paper sheet is located inside ofthe forwarding unit when an identification is executed. This allows itsfront-and-rear measurement to become shorter, even though the housingspace is limited in the front-and-rear directions, to that limitedmeasurement.

[0189] Moreover, to the outer frame, the collecting unit and thepaying-out unit are attached from its front side so as to be attachableand detachable. Thereby, regardless of the disposition of other unitsaround the place where the paper sheet handling apparatus is housed, theidentified paper sheet that has been stored in the collecting unit canbe collected. In addition, the paying-out paper sheet can be supplied tothe paying-out unit, thereby making it possible to receive and pay out apaper sheet.

[0190] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out paper sheet is one, or two or more, of a banknote, a cut-sheet which undergoes printing when paid out, a continuousform which undergoes printing when paid out, and a card which undergoesprinting or magnetic recording when paid out. According to thisconfiguration, the paying-out paper sheet can be paid out according tothe type of housing equipment which houses the paper sheet handlingapparatus. In addition, the usage of the paying-out paper sheet whichhas been paid out can be made various types.

[0191] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the directions in which a paper sheet is forwarded betweenthe collecting unit and the forwarding unit and between the paying-outunit and the forwarding unit are set to the up-and-down directions.According to this configuration, the direction in which a paper sheet isforwarded between the collecting unit and the forwarding unit is set tothe up-and-down directions. Thereby, the front-and-rear measurement ofthe collecting unit can be made as short as possible. This presentsample space on the inner side from the collecting unit. In that amplespace, the paying-out unit can be placed whose front-and-rearmeasurement is made shorter by setting the paper sheet forwardingdirection between it and the forwarding unit to the up-and-downdirections. Therefore, even though the housing space is limited in thefront-and-rear directions, the front-and-rear measurements of thecollecting unit and the paying-out unit can be made shorter to theirlimited measurements.

[0192] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the collecting unit or the paying-out unit, or these two,include a sorting and storage portion which sorts and stores two typesof paper sheets according to their types. According to thisconfiguration, even if the necessity occurs of storing two types ofpaper sheets, there is no need for new storage space for the collectingunit or the paying-out unit, or these two. This makes it possible toomit the space for essential storage space, and thus, to store eachpaper sheet, with the whole paper sheet handling apparatus keeping itsmeasurements at a small space.

[0193] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the outer frame is provided with a second paying-out unit atthe upper part thereof, this second paying-out unit stores thepaying-out paper sheet so that it is inserted into and extracted fromthe front side of the outer frame. According to this configuration, ifthe paying-out paper sheet (such as a cut-sheet on which printing isconducted at the time of paying-out) is treated to which anadministrator has access more frequently than to the paper sheet storedin the collecting unit, the second paying-out unit is configured so thatthe paying-out paper sheet can be inserted into and extracted from thefront side of the outer frame. Therefore, the administrator can easilysupply or take out the paying-out paper sheet from the second paying-outunit, without removing the collecting unit from the outer frame. Inother words, this configuration allows the supply or extraction of thepaying-out paper sheet which has high access frequency to be simplyoperated, with the paper sheet handling apparatus maintaining itsfront-and-rear measurement as much as possible.

[0194] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the second paying-out unit is provided with an identifyingdevice which identifies the type or the like of the paying-out papersheet which is forwarded from the second paying-out unit to the openingportion; this identifying device is configured to identify a printinglevel or a magnetic-recording level of the paying-out paper sheet; andif each level of the paying-out paper sheet which is identified by thisidentifying device is identified as lower than a predetermined level,the paying-out paper sheet is forwarded to the collecting unit by theforwarding unit. According to this configuration, if a printing level ora magnetic-recording level of the paying-out paper sheet to be paid outfrom the second paying-out unit to the opening portion is a level atwhich identification could not be conducted later (e.g., in the case ofa light print, a magnetic fault or the like), the paying-out paper sheetis forwarded to the collecting unit by the forwarding unit. In thatcase, another paying-out paper sheet is issued again, thereby preventingthe one that could not be identified from being issued.

[0195] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out unit includes a plurality of paying-outportions which store, as the paying-out paper sheet, a plurality oftypes of paper sheets according to their types; and each of theseplurality of paying-out portions is individually detachably attachedfrom the front side of the outer frame. According to this configuration,a plurality of types of paying-out paper sheets can be paid out. Thisallows various types of housing equipment to be used, thus increasingthe types of housing equipment applicable to the paper sheet handlingapparatus. With respect to each paying-out portion, the paying-out papersheets can be supplied to the paying-out portion at their inmost part,if they are detached one after another from the forefront.

[0196] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the plurality of paying-out portions include at least twopaying-out portions which are disposed below the identifying unit andthe forwarding unit; those paying-out portions are inside of the outerframe, and are united and housed in an inside frame which is detachablyattached below the identifying unit and the forwarding unit; and theinside frame is provided with an opening portion or an open-and-closeportion through which the paying-out paper sheet is fed to a paying-outportion located in the inner part. According to this configuration, theplurality of paying-out portions are united and housed in the insideframe. If the inside frame is detached forward from the outer frame, thepaying-out paper sheets can be supplied to a paying-out portion locatedat their inner part, through the opening portion or the open-and-closeportion. Thus, there is no need to remove paying-out portions one by onewhich are placed ahead of the paying-out portion located in the innerpart, thereby making it convenient.

[0197] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is configured to identify a damage levelof a paper sheet which is inserted from the opening portion, and aprinting level or a magnetic-recording level of the paying-out papersheet to be paid out to the opening portion; and if each level of thepaper sheet which is identified by this identifying unit is identifiedas lower than a predetermined level, the paper sheet is forwarded to thecollecting unit by the forwarding unit. According to this configuration,if the damage level of a paper sheet which has been inserted from theopening portion is a level at which it can be identified as genuine orcounterfeit by the identifying unit, but a level at which its forwardingby the forwarding unit may have a harmful influence (which correspondsto the damage level of, for example, a bent or ripped paper sheet), thenthe paper sheet is forwarded to the collecting unit by the forwardingunit. This prevents the paper sheet from being forwarded to thepaying-out unit at all, thereby avoiding the trouble at the time offorwarding which may be caused when it is paid out later. In the sameway, if the printing level or magnetic-storage level of the paying-outpaper sheet to be paid out to the opening portion is a level at which itcould not be identified later, then the paying-out paper sheet isforwarded to the collecting unit by the forwarding unit. In that case,another paying-out paper sheet is issued again, thereby preventing theone, as described above, that could not be identified from being issued.

[0198] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is configured to identify the insertiondirection of a paper sheet which is inserted from the opening portion;and the paper sheet which is identified as a specific insertiondirection by this identifying unit is forwarded to the paying-out unitby the forwarding unit. According to this configuration, the insertiondirection (or the front-and-rear direction and the obverse-and-reversedirection) of a paper sheet which has been inserted from the openingportion by the identifying is identified. As a result, the paper sheetwhich has been identified as a specific insertion direction is forwardedto the paying-out unit. This unifies the storage direction of the papersheet to be stored in the paying-out unit. Therefore, the direction inwhich a paper sheet is paid out to a user can be unified for eachpaying-out operation.

[0199] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the forwarding unit is configured to forward the paying-outpaper sheet which is stored in the paying-out unit to the collectingunit, according to an external request. According to this configuration,the forwarding unit forwards the paying-out paper sheet which has beenstored in the paying-out unit to the collecting unit, according to anexternal request. Thus, if there is the need to collect the paper sheetswhich have been stored in both the paying-out unit and the collectingunit, then an administrator once forwards the paper sheet in thepaying-out unit to the collecting unit. Thereafter, the administratorcan collect the paper sheets in a lump from the collecting unit. Herein,“the external request” is realized by a predetermined startingoperation. As this kind of starting operation, operation can be used,such as the operation of a predetermined switch provided in the papersheet handling apparatus, and the operation of allowing the identifyingunit to read a magnetic card which stores a command for starting inadvance, or a coupon ticket on which a command for starting is printedas bar-code information beforehand.

[0200] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is detachably attached to the forwardingunit, and is replaced and used according to the paper sheet to beidentified. According to this configuration, the identifying unit isreplaced and used, thereby making it possible to identify the papersheet to be identified, even though it is varied.

[0201] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the opening portion of the identifying unit is used both forinserting and paying out a paper sheet. According to this configuration,there is no need to separately provide an opening portion forpaying-out, or a forwarding line which leads to it. This shortens itsheight measurement and decreases the number of parts.

[0202] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out paper sheet includes a reference reading papersheet which is used for adjusting identification precision of theidentifying unit; and the precision of the identifying unit is adjustedso that an actual measurement value by the identifying unit whichidentifies this reference reading paper sheet becomes a value that ispreset for the reference reading paper sheet. According to thisconfiguration, the precision of the identifying unit can be adjusted byallowing it to identify the reference reading paper sheet. Hence, ifthis reference reading paper sheet is stored in the paying-out unit, theprecision of the identifying unit can be easily adjusted.

[0203] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the paying-out paper sheet includes a cleaning paper sheetwhich is used for cleaning the identifying unit; and the identifyingunit is cleaned when identifying the cleaning paper sheet. According tothis configuration, cleaning of the identifying unit can be conducted byallowing it to identify the cleaning paper sheet. Hence, if thiscleaning paper sheet is stored in the paying-out unit, cleaning of theidentifying unit can be easily conducted.

[0204] In the paper sheet handling apparatus according to the presentinvention, the identifying unit is configured to identify whether thepaying-out paper sheet in the paying-out unit which is supplied by anadministrator, is a predetermined one, or not. According to thisconfiguration, the identifying unit is configured to identify whetherthe paying-out paper sheet in the paying-out unit which has beensupplied by an administrator, is a predetermined one, or not. Thus, theadministrator can certainly supply the paying-out paper sheet into thepaying-out unit.

1. A paper sheet handling apparatus, comprising: an identifying unitwhich forwards and identifies a paper sheet that is inserted from anopening portion formed in the front plane thereof; a collecting unitwhich stores the identified paper sheet; a paying-out unit which storesa paying-out paper sheet to be paid out to the opening portion in acertain case; a forwarding unit which forwards the identified papersheet and the paying-out paper sheet, between each of the identifyingunit, the collecting unit and the paying-out unit; and an outer framewhich holds each unit of the identifying unit disposed on the front sidethereof, the forwarding unit disposed on the inner side therefrom, thecollecting unit disposed below these identifying unit and forwardingunit and on the front side, and the paying-out unit disposed at least onthe inner side from the collecting unit, wherein to the outer frame, atleast the collecting unit and the paying-out unit are detachablyattached from the front side thereof.
 2. The paper sheet handlingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paying-out paper sheet isone, or two or more, of a bank note, a cut-sheet which undergoesprinting when paid out, a continuous form which undergoes printing whenpaid out, and a card which undergoes printing or magnetic recording whenpaid out.
 3. The paper sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the directions in which a paper sheet is forwarded between thecollecting unit and the forwarding unit and between the paying-out unitand the forwarding unit are set to the up-and-down directions.
 4. Thepaper sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or bothof the collecting unit and the paying-out unit include a sorting andstorage portion which sorts and stores two types of paper sheetsaccording to their types.
 5. The paper sheet handling apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the outer frame is provided with a secondpaying-out unit at the upper part thereof, the second paying-out unitstores the paying-out paper sheet so that it is inserted into andextracted from the front side of the outer frame.
 6. The paper sheethandling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the second paying-outunit is provided with an identifying device which identifies the type orthe like of the paying-out paper sheet which is forwarded from thesecond paying-out unit to the opening portion; the identifying device isconfigured to identify a printing level or a magnetic-recording level ofthe paying-out paper sheet; and if each level of the paying-out papersheet which is identified by the identifying device is identified aslower than a predetermined level, the paying-out paper sheet isforwarded to the collecting unit by the forwarding unit.
 7. The papersheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the paying-outunit includes a plurality of paying-out portions which store, as thepaying-out paper sheet, a plurality of types of paper sheets accordingto their types; and each of the plurality of paying-out portions isindividually detachably attached from the front side of the outer frame.8. The paper sheet handling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: theplurality of paying-out portions include at least two paying-outportions which are disposed below the identifying unit and theforwarding unit; those paying-out portions are inside of the outerframe, and are united and housed in an inside frame which is detachablyattached below the identifying unit and the forwarding unit; and theinside frame is provided with an opening portion or an open-and-closeportion through which the paying-out paper sheet is fed to a paying-outportion located in the inner part.
 9. The paper sheet handling apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein: the identifying unit is configured toidentify a damage level of a paper sheet which is inserted from theopening portion, and a printing level or a magnetic-recording level ofthe paying-out paper sheet to be paid out to the opening portion; and ifeach level of the paper sheet which is identified by the identifyingunit is identified as lower than a predetermined level, the paper sheetis forwarded to the collecting unit by the forwarding unit.
 10. Thepaper sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: theidentifying unit is configured to identify the insertion direction of apaper sheet which is inserted from the opening portion; and the papersheet which is identified as a specific insertion direction by theidentifying unit is forwarded to the paying-out unit by the forwardingunit.
 11. The paper sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the forwarding unit is configured to forward the paying-outpaper sheet which is stored in the paying-out unit to the collectingunit, according to an external request.
 12. The paper sheet handlingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identifying unit isdetachably attached to the forwarding unit, and is replaced and usedaccording to the paper sheet to be identified.
 13. The paper sheethandling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening portion ofthe identifying unit is used both for inserting and paying out a papersheet.
 14. The paper sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1,wherein: the paying-out paper sheet includes a reference reading papersheet which is used for adjusting identification precision of theidentifying unit; and the precision of the identifying unit is adjustedso that an actual measurement value by the identifying unit whichidentifies the reference reading paper sheet becomes a value that ispreset for the reference reading paper sheet.
 15. The paper sheethandling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the paying-out papersheet includes a cleaning paper sheet which is used for cleaning theidentifying unit; and the identifying unit is cleaned when identifyingthe cleaning paper sheet.
 16. The paper sheet handling apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the identifying unit is configured toidentify whether the paying-out paper sheet in the paying-out unit whichis supplied by an administrator, is a predetermined one, or not.